British Touring Car Championship leader Sam Tordoff admits it is a ‘phenomenal’ feeling to be heading into this weekends triple header at Croft atop the Drivers championship.
The local hero heads to the 2.13 mile BARC venue leading the series by a single point ahead of three-time champion Matt Neal. Tordoff claimed the lead of the standings after a spectacular weekend last time out at Oulton Park in which he claimed a race win and two second places in a near-perfect display.
Croft played host to a West Surrey Racing masterclass in 2015 as the team’s hat-trick of rear-wheel drive BMW 125i M-Sport machines, in the hands of Tordoff, Rob Collard and the now-WEC driver Andy Priaulx, claimed all three race victories with one apiece in a dominating display.
The addition of Jack Goff to the championship-winning outfit in place of Priaulx does nothing to diminish the chances of the team claiming another clean sweep once again this weekend, with rear-wheel drive cars performing favorably in recent seasons at the Yorkshire venue.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Tordoff admits he has high hopes for another strong set of performances and is delighted to head into arguably one of the most crucial weekends of his season atop the championship, with a strong score at Croft likely to be vital if the former MG driver is to mount a challenge for this years crown.
“To be going to Croft – a track where the BMW has always excelled – as championship leader is phenomenal,” he commented.
“I love racing there and as a team, we took a clean sweep last year with the 125i M Sport. It’s a fantastic place for competitors and spectators alike, so I’m returning with high hopes for a great weekend.
He also paid tribute to the reception he receives from the spectators, both local and from further afield, as well as those who affect his racing directly.
“Croft is a special event on the calendar for me; I always get a great reception from the fans and a lot of support from family and sponsors.”
The 27-year old accountant by trade also believes that Croft presents a difficult challenge in terms of setup and driver ability, but ultimately one that is set to yield handsome rewards for those who get it right, as Tordoff did a year ago.
“It’s a fabulous circuit with a real mix of high and low-speed corners that prioritises car set-up, because you’ve essentially got to be good at everything! That makes it a difficult challenge – but equally, one that is extremely rewarding when you get it right.”
He will look to extend his championship lead on a pivotal weekend in each of the three races, which get underway at 12:02, 14:32 and 17:09 respectively on Sunday 19th June.